Hydraulically controlled exercising and weight lifting device



June 24, 1969 D. E. KNOBLAUCH 3,451,271

HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED EXERCISING AND WEIGHT LIFTING DEVICE Filed June 30, 1966 Sheet I of 2 FIG.I

INVENTOR DAVID E. KNOBLAUCH ATTORNEY June 24, 1969 D. E. KNOBLAUCH 3, 5

HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED EXERCISING AND WEIGHT LIFTING DEVICE Filed June so, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR DAVID E. KNOBLAUCH ATTOR NEY United States Patent 3,451,271 HYDRAULI'CALLY CONTROLLED EXERCISING AND WEIGHT LIFTING DEVICE David E. Knoblauch, 9187 Arrow Drive,

Affton, Mo. 63123 Filed June 30, 1966, Ser. No. 561,971 Int. Cl. G011 5/02 US. Cl. 73-379 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multi-functional exercising and weight lifting de vice comprising a pair of hydraulically controlled extendable members pivotally mounted to a base, each extendable member formed having a piston and rod slidable within a hydraulic cylinder or tube, with a sleeve rigidly fastened to the end of said rod slidable externally upon the cylinder. A cross bar or individual handgrips connect at select levels to the sleeves to provide structure that the party exercising may firmly grasp. Hydraulic valve controls and reservoirs connect with each extendable member, and upon adjustment, regulate the amount of force that must be exerted to extend or contract the extendable members, and thereby define the capacity of physical exercise that may be undertaken.

This invention relates in general to an exercising and body toning device, and more particularly, pertains to a hydraulically regulated apparatus for use in simulating weight lifting maneuvers, and other related body building exercises.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a hydraulically controlled exercising and weight lifting device which may be rapidly and easily adjusted to provide resistance against various forms of bodily movement such as is effected in regular exercises with weight lifting devices or as during other calisthenics.

It has long been the practice with those directly interested in undertaking a physical fitness or body building program to utilize the standard weight lifting devices, such as the common barbell or dumbell training sets, for the purpose of systematically performing various isotonic exercises which provide for a toning of selective muscles throughout the body. That such exercises are desirable for individuals of all backgrounds and status is readily apparent from the current interest and enthusiasm that has been generated by both the medical profession and physical fitness advocates who urgently recommend that every member of the general public discipline themselves to a form of systematic and individually oriented physical fitness program. For this reason, many health clubs have been formed that provide elaborate facilities having accompanying apparatuses in the nature of weight lifting devices and related mechanisms for use by their patronizing membership for undertaking periodic sessions of exercises for effecting weight reduction, body improvement, and, consequently, sustaining health. Those individuals who have developed an interest in performing regular exercises but cannot afford the time and expense in enrolling in one of the aforementioned health clubs, either purchase their own set of weight lifting devices, or resort to the less efiicient method of body strengthening by the common isometric exercises.

In performing body firming exercises it is necessary, to achieve maximum effect, that the selective skeletal muscle or muscles towards which the physical exertion is directed sue which is fiberous in content, and to simply tighten this fiberous tissue in performance of an exercise without stretching or contracting the muscle fails to provide its full development. For this reason, the so-called isometric exercises which are designed to acquire body toning by stationarily pitting ones muscular strength against an immovable object fails to achieve maximum effect. Also, other body exercises performed during calisthenics do provide selective body movement and accompanying expansion and contraction of muscle tissue, but fail to acquire maximum efliciency in muscle development because such exercises do not incorporate the use of supplemental weights to concurrently force exertion of the muscle to its maximum endurance. The most effective form of body building exercises combine selective body movements directed towards one or more muscles while incorporating the use of extrinsic weights to force the muscle to function under pressure. For this reason, exercises performed while using the common weight lifting devices are most effective for achieving body development to its fullest and resulting physical fitness.

Various problems are readily manifested to those exercising with the common form of weight lifting devices that are presently available upon the market. To undertake a complete program of physical fitness with the use of a standard set of weights ordinarily requires the acquisition of some twelve hundred pounds of various weighted plates and other accessories at a rather high initial expense. Additionally, to perform all types of exercises with the use of the standard weight lifting set necessitates group participation since one or more training partners must be present to assist the party exercising in the various maneuvers. Without any associates to pro vide the necessary assistance, safety of the party exercising is jeopardized since loss of balance may cause severe injury or other detrimental damage to him. Likewise, use of the standard weight lifting device is: generally accompanied by clangor-like noises which ordinarily prevent their usage in multiple dwellings, or anywhere else Where none other than quietude is tolerated. It is also quite difficult to transport the foregoing type weight lifting set since it includes many loose component. parts of excessive weight.

There have occasionally been developed various exercising and athletic training devices which incorporate the use of hydraulic means for regulation of apparatus that offers resistance against movement by any individual performing with said devices. One such exercising device is revealed in a patent to Stronach No. 2,068,578 of J an. 19, 1937, wherein a unitary hydraulic cylinder retains a performed piston which is partially restrained against lineal movement by hydraulic fluid. The device as revealed provides only one form of exercise in the nature of vertical push or pull movement by the operator, and fails to stimulate more than a minority of the arm or back muscles of the party utilizing the exercising device. Furthermore, the particular muscles subjected to pressure during usage of the foregoing device are not developed to their fullest extent due to the restricted posture in which the exerciser must be positioned during his performance. Use of this prior art exercising device fails to provide for a simulation of the particular positions assumed, and achieve the stressing of the muscles such as is done during usage of the hydraulically controlled exercising and weight lifting device of the present invention.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide a hydraulically controlled exercising and weight lift ing device which may allow the user to simulate all forms of exercising functions as are presently accomplished through the use of the standard weight lifting set, but due to the cooperation of hydraulically controlled members,

dispenses with the need for any loosely mounted weights as are presently included in the aforesaid type weight lifting set.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a compact exercising and weight lifting device which is integral in construction, void of any loosely connecting parts, and thereby may be utilized relatively silently and avoid disturbance to any proximate persons.

'It is still another object of this invention to provide an exercising and weight lifting device incorporating calibrated adjusting means for use in accurately regulating the devices resistance against movement in oposite directions so that its user may exert a force such as when exercising and raising the device to stimulate a weight lifting action, and subsequently exert an opposite force for a return of the device.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an exercising and weight lifting device which may be used for exercises in the nature of rowing and chinning movements, along with other forms of related calisthenics, so that its systematic use may provide for the full development of the physique.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an exercising and weight lifting device which may be used alone by an individual, and thereby dispense with the need of any assistants or training partners such as is presently required when exercising with a standard weight -li-fting set.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a hydraulically controlled exercising and weight lifting device which provides for exercises encompassing multiple movements of ones body, the type of exercises that accomplish both the combined contraction and extension of one or more muscles while they are tightened under maximum stress a during usage of the hydraulically controlled and regulated load of said device.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an exercising and weight lifting device which is adaptable for use by anyone, whether weak or strong, and regardless of their inherent energy, since said device incorporates adjustment means for hydraulically controlling the degree of force that must be exerted by the exerciser during its usage.

It is still an additional object of this invention to provide a hydraulically controlled exercising and weight lifting device which is in compact in size and streamlined in appearance, has portability, adaptable for use in almost any locale, and due to its relatively few component parts is inexpensive in manufacture.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention are achieved through the usage of an apparatus incorporating cooperating hydraulically regulated members that may expand or contract under the exertion of a specific quantity of force that is necessary to overcome the resistance against movement offered by the apparatus. The invention contemplates the use of dual hydraulically controlled cylinders, provided with lateral means which may be grasped by the user when it is desired to per-form exercising functions tantamount to common weight lifting exercises. The degree of pressure and physical force that must be exerted by the exerciser to function upon the apparatus may be controlled by adjustment means and gauged by a meter incorporated into integral hydaulic fluid flow lines associated with the cylinders so as to provide a ready indi cation of the simulated weight being lifted. Various form of exercises directed towards improving particular areas of the physique may be performed through utilization of this invention, such well known exercises as the forced repetition, bench press, regular press, squatting maneuver, and other muscle toning movements usually performed during the lifting of weights. Also, by means of an adaption the discrete hydraulic cylinders may be selectively and separately manually actuated during usage to provide for simultaneous but distinct exercise of symmetrical muscles of the body. In addition, due to the convertibility of the exercising device, calisthenics may be performed in the nature of simulated rowing motions, pushing and pulling exercises of the arms, chinning exercises, and many other forms of isotonic calisthenics that are necessary to provide for a complement of exercises that furnish full development of the body. T hrou gh the use of this invention, anyone may increase their muscular power and stamina and achieve a more developed physique than could heretofore be acquired by use of prior art devices.

Other features of this invention will become apparent when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the exercising and weight lifting device as during usage by an operator;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the invention, revealing in broken line outline the extendable members disposed at various angles of slant;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical sectional view of the invention taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a top portion of an extendable member revealing a modified hand grip connecting thereto; and

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic front view of the invention showing how it may be made compact into a portable unit.

By referring to FIGURE 1, the exercising and weight lifting device A is shown in full assemblage, as when it is being used by an individual B to simulate weight lifting exercises for the purpose of developing the muscles of the body. To assist in stabilizing the individual during the exercises and to help him maintain his balance, foot straps 1 or a hip belt 2 may be incorporated into the structure of the device and utilized. The exercising device comprises a base member 3 being constructed of a surface portion 4, with sidings or apron-like segments 5 surrounding the member 4. As partially shown in FIGURE 3, the combination of the surface portion 4 and the sidings 5 provides an enclosure like spacing 6 inherently interior of the base member 3, and wherein may be disposed certain of the hydraulic components of the invention that render the exercising device fluidly operative, as will hereinafter be described. Connecting to the underside of the surface portion 4 are a series of channels 68 which provide structural reinforcement to the base member. Attached in spaced apart relationship to the upward portion of the surface portion 4 are a pair of pivotal mounts 7 and 8, which are comprised of a pair of stationary brackets 9 and 10, that may be constructed from common angle iron, and have pivotally mounted therebetween by means of pins 11 and 12, the channel members 13 and 14. Locking pins 15 and 16 are inserted through openings provided through the aforesaid brackets and channel members for the purpose of maintaining the invention, as in the particular instance as shown, in a fixed upright position. Rigidly secured, as by means of welding or any other fastening process, to the channel members 13 and 14 are a pair of extendable members 17 and 18, each comprising a hydraulic cylinder 19 and 20 mounted to said channel members, and have telescopically slidable sleeves 21 and 22 mounted thereon. The elongate sleeves have a length approximating the length of the aforesaid cylinders, and may be lowered into almost complete coverage of the internally contained cylinders, or extended, revealing the cylinders, and thereby increasing the over-all length of each extendable members 17 and 18. Along the inwardly facing surfaces of the sleeve members 21 and 22 there are attached a plurality of angle brackets 23, and for each angle bracket affixed to one sleeve there is a like angle bracket secured to the other sleeve member and in the same planar relationship. Through the outwardly facing surface of each sleeve 21 and 22 there is provided a linear slot, as at 24, and through each slot projects the hydraulic flow lines 25 and 26. By this arrangement, the hydraulic lines, which are tubular in structure, act as a guide for movement of the sleeves 21 and 22 upon the cylinders 19 and 20, prevent their twisting or turning upon the same, and act as a stop against further movement of the sleeves as they reach their uppermost limit of extension, or downwardmost contraction.

There is provided for spanning the spacing between the sleeves '21 and 22, a cross bar 27, which is conveniently disposed for ease of gripping by the individual B While exercising, and which is of a suflicient length necessary to provide for its extension between and connection with an angle bracket 23 as provided on each sleeve. There is an opening disposed through each angle bracket and also through each end of the cross bar, and when said cross bar is properly inserted into place within a bracket, the combination will accommodate a clevis pin, such as at 28, which firmly secures said cross bar to the contiguous angle bracket. There may also be provided upon the cross bar a collar, not shown, having a length approximately the same as that of said cross bar, and which may loosely surround said bar for sliding rotation so as to allow the individual exercising with the invention to extend or lower the sleeves 21 and 22 with respect to the cylinders 19 and 20 without having to continuously regrip the cross bar 27. It should be noted that the cross bar may be attached across any two planar aligned angle brackets 23 so as to provide for its connection at fixed points along the sleeves 21 and 22, mainly depending upon the type of exercise desired to be performed.

As disclosed in FIGURE 4, a modification is provided in the gripping means associated with the upward portion of each extendable member 17 and 18, and comprises a hand grip 29 that may be affixed to the upper inward surface of each sleeve 21 and 22. The hand grip 29 is composed of a length of rod 30 that is reduced in dimension at one end, as at 31, to provide for its insertion intermediate the spacing of the proximate angle brackets 23, that mount on either sleeve, such as shown on sleeve 21. The pin 28 is used for the purpose of retaining the rod fastened to said angle bracket. Connecting with the angle bracket 32 is an arcuate shaped member 33 that is disposed for ease of grasping by the hand of an individual exercising through use of the invention. A pin 34 is inserted through the angle bracket 32 and member 33 so as to provide for the securement of the latter within said angle bracket. The arcuate gripping member 33 rigidly connects at its other end with a sleeve 35 that slidingly inserts onto the rod 30 during assembly of this modified hand grip 29. By attaching a hand grip to the upward portion of each sleeve 21 and 22 of the exten dable members 17 and 18, the individual utilizing the device may selectively operate either cylinder to perform the simultaneous but separate exercises, for example, such as the push and pull maneuver for exercising the muscles of the arms.

The structural combination of the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20, and the sleeves 21 and 22 are more clearly depicted in FIGURE 3. As shown, the hydraulic cylinder 19 is rigidly connected to the pivotal mount 7, and contains integral interiorly a cylinder bore 36. The top portion of said cylinder is closed by means of a cover 37 formed integrally with the cylinder, and which is sealed by means of a gasket 38 into tight contact with a cylinder rod 39 for precluding leakage of any hydraulic fluid out of said cylinder, especially as when the fluid contained therein is being subjected to excessive pressure as during usage of the exercising device. Attached to the bottom end of the rod 39 is a piston 40, having a sealing ring 41 surrounding its periphery and maintained in contiguous contact with the inner wall of the cylinder bore. The other end of the rod 39 is connected, as by a lock nut 42, stationarily to the top portion of the sleeve 21. It can be readily seen that if either sleeve 21 or 22 is extended or contracted upon their respective hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20, the attached cylinder rods and pistons will likewise shift within the cylinders.

By referring to FIGURES 1 and 3, the structure providing for hydraulic operation of the exercising and weight lifting device A can be readily seen and comprehended. To the upward end of each hydraulic cylinder 19 and 20 there is connected, respectively, the hydraulic flow lines 25 and 26. These flow lines may be constructed of any material that is capable of conveying fluid under pressure, but preferably, may be constructed of metallic material which is rigid and stable in construction. Flow lines 25 and 26 connect interiorly with the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20, and provide for the passage of hydraulic fluid into either cylinder a the extendable members 17 and 18 of the exercising device are being lowered, or provide for the fluid passage out of the cylinders as when the sleeve members 21 and 22 and associated pistons are being raised as during a weight lifting exercise. The flow lines 25 and 26 extend downwardly proximate to the bottom portion of the cylinders 19 and 20, and are stabilized by connecting thereto by means of the brackets 43 and 44. Connecting and extending from the lower ends of the flow lines 25 and 26 are flexible flow lines 45 and 46 Which provide for passage of the fluid through the tubes 47 and 48.

Connecting to the downward portions of the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20* are other flexible flow lines 49' and 50 which provide for passage of the hydraulic fluid into and out of the bottom portions of said cylinders downward from the pistons contained therein. These flow lines connect .at their other ends with tubes 51 and 52. The flow lines 45, 46 and 49, 50 are flexible in texture so as to provide for their rearrangement as when the extendable members are pivoted at pivot mounts 7 and 8, when it is desired to lower the same into an inclined angle with respect to the base member 3 for performance of supplemental exercises from a sitting position. Each of the flexible tubings 45, 46 and 49, 50 connects respectively with the upper ends of tubes 47, 48 and 51, 52, and each of said tubes extend downward through the base member 3 and into a hydraulic fluid reservoir located within the interior spacing 6 provided within the base. By referring to FIGURE 3, it can be seen that there is a reservoir, such as shown at 53, associated with each of the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20, and contain an amount of hydraulic fluid that may be conveyed into either the upper or lower portions of said cylinders as during usage of the invention. Each of the tubes 47, 48, 51 and 52 contains an adjustable gate valve 54 which may be set by means of its associated adjustable handle 55 to provide for a regulation in the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the foregoing tubes and to or from the reservoirs. The series of handles are preferably calibrated in pounds of pressure so that their accurate setting during use of the invention will necessitate the exertion of an equivalent amount of force on the part of the individual B to force the hydraulic fluid past the gate valves 54. Connecting to each of said tubes, upward from the gate valves 54 are secondary tubes 56, which also extend through the base member 3 and into the downward portion of the fluid reservoirs 53. Connected in each of the secondary tubes 56 is a check valve 57 which allows for return of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoirs to and into either the upper or lower portions of the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20, but precludes any passage of the hydraulic fluid back into the reservoirs through the same tubes. It is to be noted that the tubes 47, 48, 51 and 52 and the secondary tubes 56 should extend at their downward ends into close proximity 'with the bottom of the reservoirs 54 so as to prevent any undesirable passage of air through the tubes and into the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20. Such would render inaccurate the pressure adjustment of the gate valves 54. Extending between each pair of tubes 47, 51 and 48, 52 are the meters 58 and 59 which are calibrated to provide for a direct visual reading of the pressure exerted upon the hydraulic fluid by the pistons as a result of the raising or lowering of the sleeves 21 and 22 with respect to the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20. To further enhance the appearance of the exercising device, covers 60 and 61, as

outlined in broken line, may be provided for enclosing the various tubes, secondary tubes, and valves, leaving the handles 55 and meters 58 and 59 accessible for ready usage.

By referring to FIGURE 2, it can be seen that the extendable members 17 and 18 comprising the combined hydraulic cylinders and the slidable sleeves may be pivoted at their pivotal mounts 7 and 8 with respect to the base member 3, so as to provide for their angular disposition with respect to said base member. The cylinders and sleeves may be fixed at a perpendicular angle with respect to the base member, and in such position be used as a weight lifting device. The broken line outline C reveals how the extendable members may be pivoted to their forwardmost extent, with the frontal portion of the channel members 13 and 14 resting upon the surface portion 4. The broken line outline of said extendable members, as designated as D, reveals how they may be fixed by means of locking pins, such as 62, at an angle approximately 15 degrees with the base, and in said position may be utilized for exercises in the nature of rowing motions to assist in simultaneously developing the muscles of the arms, legs and shoulders. The members, as revealed at E, are shown lying at rest upon the base member, such as when not in use.

In operation, the invention may be used in the performance of a variety of exercises, but is particularly useful for simulation of weight lifting motions that require an exertion of muscle straining forces to elevate or lower the extendable members 17 and 18, under forces that are equivalent to the resistance against movement of the hydraulic fluid offered by the gate valves in the hydraulic circuits. For example, at commencement of an exercise during which the extendable members are maintained upright, as shown in FIGURE 2, the sleeves 21 and 22 will be fully contracted and cover the cylinders 19 and 20. In this manner, the lower edges of the sleeves will rest upon the brackets 43 and 44. At this time, the handles 55 associated with the gate valves 54 may be properly adjusted so as to partially close the valves for controlling the passage of hydraulic fluid and offer resistance against its free flow. As an illustration, if it is desired that it necessitate a force of one hundred (100) pounds to lift the cross bar 27 and the associated sleeves, then the calibrated handles 55 may be set at the one hundred (100) mark. The individual exercising may then grasp the cross bar and exert an upward force upon the same, and when said force equals or excels the one hundred (100) pound limit, the sleeves 21 and 22 will commence to slide upward on the hydraulic cylinders 19 and 20. Concurrently, the hydraulic fluid that is contained upwards of the pistons 40 located within the cylinder bore 36 will be subjected to increasing pressure until that pressure is reached that provides for a forcible passage of the fluid past the respective gate valves 54 after said fluid has been conveyed through the lines 25, 45, 47, and 26, 46, 48. Additionally, the pressurized fluid will exert a force upon the meters 58 and 59 and provide an indication of pressure of approximately one hundred (100) pounds. The pressurized fluid will be prevented from passing through the secondary tubes 56 associated with the foregoing flow lines, and to the reservoirs 53 by means of the one-way check valves 57. Simultaneous with the foregoing, hydraulic fluid will be withdrawn from the reservoirs 53, through the remaining tubes 56, and pass the one-way check vales 57. This fluid will pass through the flexible flow lines 49 and 50- and into the bottom portion of the hydraulic cylinders '19 and to fill the cylinder bores downward from the pistons 40. The fluid flowing into the downward portion of the cylinder :bore will not be subjected to any pressure such as is exerted on the fluid upwards of the pistons 40. The adjustable handles 50 may be set to any pressures desired so that the individual exercising may know within reasonable accuracy the amount of force he must exert upon the cross bar 27 to effect a raising of the extendable members. After the sleeves have been extended to a height over the head of the one exercising, it may then be lowered through the effort of a downward pull exerted by the party exercising with a force either equal or different from the force neccessary to achieve elevation. The adjustable handles associated with the tubes 51 and 52 may be set to operate at a pressure different from the pressure required to raise the extendable members. In this manner, as the cross bar 27 is pulled lower, the hydraulic fluid disposed downward from the pistons 40 within the cylinder bore 36 will be subjected to pressure therein, and pass through the flow lines 49 and 50, past the adjusted gate valves 54 connected in the tubings 51 and 52, for passage into the fluid reservoirs 53. Concurrently, hydraulic fluid will pass through the secondary tubes 56 and the one-way check valves associated with the flexible flow lines 45 and 46, through the hydraulic lines 25 and 26 and into the upward portion of the cylinder bore 36. The motivating force inducing movement of the hydraulic fluid in this manner will be the suction created within the cylinder 36 caused by the downward movement of the sleeves 21 and 22 and attached pistons 40. While the individual exercising pulls the cross bar downward, he will be restrained from lifting oif of the base 3 by means of the foot straps 1 and the hip belt 2, or either of them. It can be seen that a simulated weight lifting exercise may be repeated as often as desired, so long as the strength of the individual endures.

Each extendable member is constructed to work independently of each other, but will function as a combined unit when the cross bar 27 is connected for xtending between the two members. By use of the modification comprising the hand grips 29, as revealed in FIGURE 4, the extendable members may be manipulated selectively for raising or lowering by each separate arm of the individual exercising, and under the exertion of forces that are necessary to overcome the resistance offered by the gate valves 54 as regulated by the handles 55. Also, as shown in FIGURE 2, the extendable members may be pivoted for disposition at any angle with respect to the base member 3, so that a variety of exercises may be performed from a sitting, standing, or inclined position. As desired, the sleeve members 21 and 22 of the extendable members may be elevated to that level which is above the height of the individual exercising, at which time, the handles 55 may be adjusted for providing closure of the separate gate valves so as to preclude passage of hydraulic fluid and any shifting of the sleeves. When maintained in this manner, the exercising device may be utilized in the common chinning exercise for further strengthening of the physique.

The exercising and weight lifting device, as diagrammatically shown in FIGURE 5, reveals how it jointly incorporates the principle of compactness and portability to facilitate the transfer of the invention from one distant location to another. In this modification, the base member is disclosed as two separate compartment like portions 63 and 64 which may be connected together by means of a hinge 65 along one side of each compartment so as to provide for their pivoting into a singular enclosure. The brackets 9 and 10 are shown mounted to the upper surfaces of the compartment portions 63 and 64, and each normally receives the extendable members 17 and 18 when the invention is set up in preparation for usage. But, as revealed in FIGURE 5, each of said extendable members is disclosed as mounted within brackets 66 and 67 located interiorly, respectively, of the compartments 63 and 64 in preparation for closure of the latter for eventual shipment. Contained stationarily within the interior of each enclosure are the fluid reservoirs 53 which hold the hydraulic fluid that functions to render the cylinders of the extendable members, when disposed in working condition, hydraulically operative. Disposed partially in each reservoir and extending slightly above the normally upward disposed surface of each compartment 63 and 64 are the various tubes 47, 48, 51 and 52 that provide means for conveyance of the hydraulic fluid to the upper and lower portions of the hydraulic cylinders as when the exercising and weight lifting device is assembled and readied for usage. The adjustable handle means 55 are attached to the upward ends of the tubes so as to provide for a regulation in the flow of the hydraulic fluid therethrough. The meters 58 and 59 connect intermediately the pairs of tubes and thereby provide for a rapid reading of the precise fluid pressure present in each hydraulic cylinder, with the calibrated facings of said meters being disposed in planar relationship with the surfaces of each compartment 63 and 64 providing for ease of reading of the indicated pressure.

The functioning of the exercising and weight lifting device, as revealed in FIGURE 5, is similar, when readied for use, to the invention as previously described. When in operation, the dual compartment portions 63 and 64 are pivoted open upon a structure such as flooring or the ground. The extendable members 17 and 18 comprising the hydraulic cylinders and the sliding sleeves are fixed by means of pins to the brackets 9 and 10, and their flexible flow lines are attached to the upward portion of the sets of tubes 47, 51 and 48, 52. When set up in this manner, anyone may utilize the device to perform the variety of exercising maneuvers and calisthenics as has herefore been described in detail. When it is desired to transport the weight lifting device to a remote location, the extendable members may be rapidly and facilely removed from their pivotal connection with the brackets 9 and 10. Simultaneously, the hydraulic fluid contained within the cylinders may be bled to provide for the flow of all remaining fluid downwardly into the fluid reservoirs 53 for retention and sealing therein. At this time, the flexible tubings may be removed, and the upward portions of the tubes 47, 48', 51 and 52 conveniently capped so as to prevent drainage of any fluid out of the reservoirs such as could occur when the compartments are pivoted into closure. The cylinders and sleeves may then be fixed within the compartments 63 and 64, and retained by means of the brackets in the art when viewing this disclosure, and any changes in and modifications to the exercising and weight lifting device as described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A multi-functional exercising and weight lifting device comprising a base member, a pair of extendable members mounted upon said base member, each extendable member comprising a hydraulic cylinder controlled through the medium of hydraulic fluidl, a piston slidably mounted in said hydraulic cylinder, a sleeve telescopically mounted for slidable movement upon said hydraulic cylinder, means for rigidly connecting said sleeve with said piston, hand gripping means connecting to each sleeve and providing upon actuation for extension or contraction of the extendable members, hydraulic component means attaching to and cooperating with each hydraulic cylinder and internally disposed piston for regulating the forced flow of said fluid from each hydraulic cylinder and thereby determining the force necessary to eflect extension or contraction of the sleeve with respect to a hydraulic cylinder, and means operatively associated with each extendable member for metering the pressure of the fluid flowing from said hydraulic cylinders.

2. The multi-functional exercising and weight lifting device of claim ll wherein the gripping means comprises a cross bar that may be selectively connected to the sleeves of each extendable member at select points along their lengths to provide for their simultaneous extension or contraction.

3. The multi-funtional exercising weight lifting device of claim 1 wherein the extendable members are pivotally mounted upon said base member for disposition in an upright position or in an acute angle with respect to said base member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 177,251 5/1876 Johnson 73-379 3,359,802 12/1967 Sollenberger 73-379 RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner.

JOHN K. LUNSFORD, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 272-79 

